If you’re staying with us in February, you may witness one of England’s most extraordinary traditions — the Royal Shrovetide Football, held in Ashbourne.
Held every year on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, this centuries-old event transforms the entire market town into a giant playing field. Unlike modern football, there are very few rules, hundreds of players, and goals set three miles apart. The “pitch” stretches across fields, streets, and even the banks of the Henmore River.
The town divides into two teams: the Up’Ards and the Down’Ards. The aim? To “turn up” the ball at one of the historic stone goals. Play begins with a ceremonial throw-in in the town centre and can last for up to eight hours each day.
Believed to date back over 800 years, the game is a proud part of local heritage in Derbyshire. Shops board up their windows, spectators line the streets, and the whole town buzzes with atmosphere.
If you’re visiting during Shrovetide, it’s an unforgettable glimpse into living history — energetic, muddy, chaotic, and completely unique.